Do you think the days of independant domestic refrigeration engineers are finished???.....i do!!...the Frost free's and integrated's are killing the job.
frost free parts such as PCB's, defrost heaters, and some circulating fans, are difficult, if not impossible to get.
diagnosis is difficult and time consuming. when you do give an estimate the customer usually says they'd rather put the money towards a new unit, particularly if its going to take a few days to get the part.
have any of you been to your local tip lately? there you will find dozens of frost free fridges in showroom condition.....scrapped.
I've been a domestic engineer for about 30yrs,and brought 5 kids up. i've never made a lot of money, but i've always been able to make a ''buttie'' so to speak. I wouldn't make a living now. i retire next year, so it doesn't matter to me.